Subaru Outback 2009 News

The Japanese company's new diesel boxer engine will not make it down under for another two months, well after the arrival of the all-new Liberty this week, and it will only be fitted to the high-rider Outback. "We're going to launch the diesel in Australia in the Outback model," says the father of the new Liberty-Outback range, Takeshi Tachimori.The Japanese vice-president of Subaru was driving in the first Outback diesel to reach Australia during Repco Rally Australia last weekend and says the car is a major breakthrough for the company. But he says a massive development program in recent years on everything from the latest Impreza to the new Tribeca means there will be a staggered roll-out of the diesel engine, even though it is already fitted to the Impreza, Forester, Liberty and Outback in Europe."In just two years we updated the whole vehicle line=-p. It's such big work for us," Tachimori says. "We launched the Forester last year and this is big work for us. We cannot do everything at the same time."He says the biggest changes for the new Liberty and Outback are the cabin space and body design, which were both focussed on American needs. The previous Subaru models were seen as too small in the USA and that meant a major change. "We discussed that we must look for the global market. We shifted the target to a global direction," he says. "Japanese people said the new Forester is too big, but it's not a big car in the United States or Australia. People looking at the new Liberty and Outback say they are so big, but the change is not so big.The height is a significant increase, and also the proportion. "For this fifth generation we changed our centre of gravity, moving to a global position."Tachimori also says Subaru went against the normal development flow by designing its Liberty wagon first. "Most car companies make the sedan, and then add the cargo space. We began with the wagon as we are sharing the car body with sedan, station wagon and outback. "We wanted a strong presence, especially with the Outback model. The packaging is a mixture of a sedan and SUV."Apart from the diesel engine, the big technical change for the new Liberty and Outback is Subaru's first constantly-variable automatic transmission. It has a six-speed manual mode and was done in-house because of the complication of mating it to the company's unique boxer engines and all-wheel drive package."Our powertrain is very unique and our problem is making a good transmission. We cannot have a transmission from a supplier," Tachimori says. "Transmission is always a problem for us. We had to a have a better transmission for better fuel economy, so several years ago we decided to make a new transmission and it will be CVT."The 2.0-litre Boxer diesel engine in the Impreza is claimed to achieve fuel economy of 5.9L/100km with CO2 emissions of 155g/km which is 20g less than a Corolla.It's no slouch, either, with 112kW of power and 350Nm of torque between 1800 and 240 revs, propelling it to 100km/h in nine seconds and a top speed over 200km/h.The horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine sits flat and deep in the engine well with a variable geometry turbocharger and catalytic converter mounted underneath for a low centre of gravity. Coupled with Symmetrical all-wheel drive, this improves handling and traction.Subaru claims the flat-four layout with horizontally-opposed pistons cancels out second harmonic vibration which means there is no need for heavy balancer shafts.Apart from reduced diesel noise, it also ensures a lively throttle response. The 1998cc Boxer diesel has an 11mm longer stroke and 6mm smaller bore than the 1994cc petrol engine. Cylinder bore spacing is reduced so the engine block is 61.3mm shorter at 353.5mm. It uses a common-rail fuel-injection system with fuel pressurised at 180MPa.The variable nozzle turbocharger ensures the correct boost at all engine speeds and placing it beneath the engine contributes to the Imprezas low centre of gravity, where it also connects directly to the catalytic converters, boosting environmental performance. 

Little separates the Subaru twins, except for some extra body cladding and the Outback's high-riding look. As it is based on the Liberty the Outback gains all the equipment and safety improvements of its urban sibling.Like the Liberty, the Outback is more spacious in every key dimension. It is 65mm longer, 50mm wider, 70mm higher and the wheelbase is up 75mm compared to the previous model. The flowing headlight design integrates with the indicators, while fog lights are standard across the range.Highlighting Outback's road presence are flared wheel arches and projector-style low-beam headlights.PricingOutback 2.5i manual $37,990Outback 2.5i Lineartronic CVT automatic $40,490Outback 2.5i Premium manual $41,490Outback 2.5i Premium Lineartronic CVT automatic $43,990Outback 2.5i Premium with SatNav manual $43,990Outback 2.5i Premium with SatNav Lineartronic CVT automatic $46,490Outback 3.6R automatic $48,490Outback 3.6R with SatNav automatic $55,990 

The Japanese versions will go on sale there mid-year, while the Liberty will be launched on the Australian market in September.The fifth-generation of the popular Liberty – known as the Subaru Legacy in overseas markets – is built on a new platform and will arrive with a raft of tech improvements, including the choices of a 3.6-litre six-cylinder horizontally opposed boxer engine , and a six-speed manual or continuously-variable transmissions.The two other engines are both 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxers, one of which gets a boost from turbocharging.Australia will get a six-speed manual diesel Outback in November, with the engine that has already gone on sale in the current model Outback in Europe developing 108kW at 3600rpm and 350Nm from 1800rpm. Fuel economy is said to come in under sub-7.0 litres/100km.Both 2.5-litre four cylinder and 3.0-litre six cylinder boxer engines are expected to carry over and diesel buyers will be pleased with the arrival of Subaru's first 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.The Liberty is wider and longer than the current model –the American version is even wider again – and should offer a large increase in both passenger and cargo area.Safety gets a big kick-up in the new models, with equipment on offer including an engine cradle that folds to isolate the block from the cabin in a crash, knee airbags, and a reversing camera with factory-fitted satnav. There are also rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights and push-button start options.Of course, both nameplates get Subaru’s all-wheel drive system, and the dynamic chassis concept from the new Impreza and Forester.Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior says the new Liberty has all the right ingredients to make a strong play in the market.“Safety, performance and style are all key ingredients in the new generation Liberty mix. Combined with the high quality engineering for which Subaru is renowned, it represents a formidable package.”“Liberty and Outback will build strongly on the respected records of the current cars, at the same time maintaining the fun driving that’s at the heart of every Subaru.”Pricing will be revealed at the Liberty’s Australian launch in September.

The Outback diesel should be ready by November, although Subaru Australia wants it as soon as possible."The effort has gone into getting an outback here first because our belief is that a diesel SUV has the most potential. That will be followed by a Forester diesel in 2010," says Nick Senior."Then we will turn our eyes to the passenger vehicle range."He rules out a Tribeca diesel and says the push will be with Liberty and then Impreza, although that could be well into 2010 or even 2011."We just don't have the capacity in research and development to change them over in such a short time. The priority was Outback first, Forester second, and the other two later on."While Subaru has been working on diesel there has also been an investigation into the potential of LPG, although the news is not good for Australia."We've looked at LPG and haven't got a solution at the moment that satisfies us," says Senior."There is a cost issue, and there are compatibility and durability issues. We would need to be comfortable with those before we brought in a factory LPG system." 

Subaru admits the Broadmeadows hero is one of the targets for its all- new Outback wagon, which has just been unveiled in the USA as the sidekick to the new Liberty.The Outback will look a little different by the time it gets to Australia, but the basics and particularly a bigger new cabin and an enlarged 3.6-litre engine will be just the same.Subaru Australia is promising to push hard on prices, after boosting the value of its all-new Impreza last year, but is not talking details yet."The Outback displayed at the New York show is obviously for the US.There are some styling cues that we won't see here - the overt SUV stuff," says the managing director of Subaru Australia, Nick Senior."Ours is probably a little more . . . restrained."The Outback will join the Liberty in Australia in September and both, according to Senior, are crucial."They are both important. I think, from a brand point of view, Subaru has been defined by the Liberty."This is 20 years. It's two decades of Liberty and in that time it's had strong customer advocacy and a lot of awards."We are going to play in an important segment of the market. It's a new car and it addresses some of the issues raised in customer feedback. One of those is interior room, so it's a lot roomier and it's a lot more fuel efficient."Early details of the Outback point to a car with a longer wheelbase, a bigger cabin, improved ground clearance, power of 190kW from the 3.6-litre six, and a six-speed manual on both the four and six.The basic body is stiffer, just like the Liberty, which should mean improved safety and less noise inside."The Outback, again, has significantly more interior space.Particularly rear legroom," says Senior, before pointing to a Ford challenge with the car."That opens the opportunity for us, particularly in Australia, to look at conquest sales. And not just from our traditional competitors but potentially from some of the local manufacturers."We'll have a 3.6-litre engine fed by normal unleaded and, particularly in rural areas, that is where I see an opportunity." 

There is more to towing than just hitching the trailer or caravan and pulling into traffic for a trip.Anyone who has lost control of a loaded trailer or caravan can tell you that getting it wrong can have serious consequences.Even taking a load of junk to the tip or picking up a box-trailer load of garden supplies can get ugly — or worse — if you are not adequately prepared.And learning to back and park with a trailer on the tail takes skill.The potential for disaster is everywhere: from choosing the right tow vehicle and preparing it for the job, to carrying too much weight, incorrectly distributing the weight of the load, or failing to maintain a trailer or caravan.STARTING POINTThe first step into tow land is to decide what you want to tow.More importantly, you need to calculate how much it weighs when fully loaded and ready for the road.This will help you work out if you can keep your existing car or whether you need to buy something new, perhaps a four-wheel-drive if you have horses or a big boat, to handle the tow work.TOWING CAPACITIESAll modern vehicles have a rated towing capacity.For example, a big 4WD such as a Nissan Patrol has a maximum towing capacity of 3500kg, but a small car such as a Toyota Corolla has a towing capacity of only 1300kg.The towing capacity includes the trailer or caravan, as well as all its contents, so people intending to tow a caravan should include everything they plan to take with them, including full water tanks.If you already have the caravan/trailer and can borrow a friend's tow car for a while, then it is easy to work out the weight of what you are towing.Just go down to a public weighbridge and roll the trailer on to the scales.Most new caravans have a rating that tells you how much the van is able to safely weigh, then you can compare this figure with the car's towing capacity.If your vehicle doesn't have a specified towing capacity (this often happens with older cars), you are allowed to tow up to 1 1/2 times the unladen mass of the tow vehicle, as long as the trailer and braking system complies with the relevant Australian Design Rule.If the trailer is not fitted with brakes, the mass of the caravan/trailer must not exceed the unladen weight of the tow vehicle, or 750kg.BRAKESThere are two common types of trailer brakes.The older type is mechanical, which triggers a hydraulic system that reacts when the tow vehicle decelerates.New trailers and caravans have an electric braking system that is much easier to control.Apart from being adjustable, electric brakes can be operated separately from the tow vehicle's brakes. If a trailer or van starts to sway, the driver can apply its brakes separately and have a much better chance of bringing it under control.WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTION HITCHA tow vehicle running with its nose in the air and rear almost rubbing on the ground is dangerous.Apart from all the wear and tear it causes, it also affects steering and braking.So a weight-distribution hitch is an important part of safe towing.OTHER GEARIt is a legal requirement for drivers to have a clear view of the road at all times, so you should consider fitting larger mirrors or mirror extenders, especially if towing a caravan.SPREADING THE LOADThe way a trailer or caravan is loaded is important.Put too much weight at the front or too much at the back of the caravan/trailer and it will negatively affect the handling, perhaps leading to a crash.MAINTENANCEMost trailers are stored in the back yard and are not used often, so it is important that they be regularly check and maintained.Wiring can easily corrode, causing lights to stop working, tyres can crack from old age, wheel bearings can dry up and braking systems can seize.The same goes for caravans.They may also be fitted with gas cylinders for cooking, which need to be regularly checked.GETTING IT RIGHTTow-Ed driving instructor John Eggenhuizen, who runs a national towing course, says towing accidents happen far too often.He tells of a just-retired couple who bought a $70,000 Toyota LandCruiser and a $65,000 caravan to set off on holiday, only to lose control and write them off in a crash.Eggenhuizen says such accidents are often caused by poor caravan/trailer set-up and a lack of experience.He says proper training prepares drivers for such situations, but also helps drivers with the sometimes difficult task of backing a trailer or caravan.BUYING A TOW CARBigger is usually better when it comes to tow cars.You don't need to have a giant 4WD, but they are often the best machines for the job.Vehicles designed for carrying heavy loads, including 4WDs such as the Nissan Patrol, Toyota LandCruiser and Land Rover Discovery, are the best if you have a heavy caravan/trailer.Mid-sized 4WDs such as the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Prado are also excellent, and family machines such as the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore are good.Ford Falcon wagons and utes make better tow cars than Holden Commodores and regular Falcons because they have leaf-spring suspensions, and the Ford Territory's extra weight and reduced rear overhang makes it a good tow vehicle.Small 4WDs such as the Subaru Outback or Nissan X-Trail are OK for towing relatively light loads.Turbo diesels are the prime engine choice for many tow cars because they have lots of torque and don't use as much fuel as a petrol engine.Six or eight-cylinder petrol engines are good because towing requires maximum pulling force. The more torque an engine has the better it will be for the job.Four-cylinder petrol engines can pull lighter loads, but often struggle with heavier cargo.TOW DRIVING TIPSAllow extra distance in traffic.Apply throttle and brakes more gently.If the caravan/trailer starts to sway do not apply the tow vehicle's brakes. If the trailer/caravan is fitted with independent electronic brakes, apply them slowly. If not, continue at a steady speed or accelerate slowly.Engage a lower gear for better control downhill.If possible, pull off the road to allow faster traffic to pass and stop more often to rest.